From Ban Ho to Ta Phin to Sapa


The trek ended in a Red Dzao Homestay in Ta Phin where we were able to get a prime herbal bath. The tribe people would collect the herbs in the rain forest surrounding the property and cook it in a giant copper bowl over an open fire for hours. The extract would then be poured in giant wooden tubs to accommodate for a refreshing and vitalizing bath.

That night in the homestay felt like the simplest place I’ve ever been to. Cooking over an open fire in the middle of the room. The floor consisting of rammed earth, wooden benches no more than 20 centimeters above the floor and a room filled with different tribe members. The prepared food was remarkable for the simplicity of the place. We had picked a local variety of fern on the way that was fried and infused with a little garlic.

Fried spring rolls that are nowhere near the ones we could find at home. Tofu and Tomato, Chicken breast, Beef, cabbage and a huge bowl of rice completed the meal. The mandatory rice wine was drunken with the food this time. The rain set in over night and the walk back to Sapa was a wet but rewarding walk home.

We splurged ourselves in one of the better hotels of Sapa and literally every piece of clothing I have with me has to be washed tonight.

Le Tum Pe La La Le Tum Pe